Group files request for details on Google, NSA partnership

JohnLetzing

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- The Washington, D.C.-based Electronic Privacy Information Center has filed a legal request for information on Google Inc.'s reported plans to team with the National Security Agency in analyzing a recent cyber-attack originating in China.

On Thursday, the Washington Post, citing unnamed sources, reported that Google
GOOG, -0.73%
plans to partner with the NSA - the U.S. government's largest intelligence agency, with a specialty in electronic surveillance - to analyze the cyber-attack.

Google said last month that as a result of the attack, it's reconsidering its commitment to operating directly in China. In addition, several other U.S. companies are thought to have suffered a similar attack. However, the reported partnership between Google and the NSA has raised concerns among privacy advocates wary of government intrusion in private communications networks in the interest of national security.

In its Freedom of Information Act request, EPIC says that it's seeking records "in the possession of the National Security Agency regarding the agency's arrangements with Google on cyber security, as well as records regarding the agency's role in setting security standards for Gmail and other Web-based applications."

Google said in January that one element of the cyber-attack was an effort to discover the identities of Gmail users advocating for human rights in China.

A Google spokesman declined to comment, other than to refer to the company's original statement on the attack - when it said that it was "working with the relevant U.S. authorities" as part of its investigation into the matter.

The NSA has drawn widespread criticism in the recent past for its warrantless monitoring of private phone calls and emails in the U.S.

"There is particular urgency for the public to obtain information about the relationship between the NSA and Google," EPIC wrote in its FOIA request. "As of 2009, Gmail had roughly 146 million monthly users, all of whom would be affected by any relationship between the NSA and Google."

According to the Washington Post report, Google's effort with the NSA would not enable the NSA to view Google users' search data or email accounts.

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